Despite challenges, Indian Constitution leading country in right direction: Prof M Umapathy
3 min read
Mysuru: “The Constitution of India, despite the various challenges it confronted
over the last 75 years, is, by and large, leading the country in the right
direction. It is a mixed bag today. But, given the nature of the various threats it continues to face, it is upon us, the people, to be vigilant and watchful,” opined Prof M Umapathy, Professor (Retd), Political Science,
UoM on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the Constitution Day celebrations jointly organised by
People’s Union for Civil Liberties (Pucl), Mysore and Shyagale
Shivarudramma Trust, Gokulam, Mysore, at Shyagale House.
Speaking on ‘Constitution of India—Threats, Responses & Future’, Prof
Umapathy said, that from the freedom movement to the adoption of the
Constitution, it was telescoping of largely bloodless revolutions in India, unlike in many Western democracies. It is a testament to the quality of the Constitution of India that it is stood the test of time for 75 years,
while constitutions in the neighbourhood have dissipated and many
versions have emerged in many other democracies.
“Our Constitution is a
sum total of our historical roots and the spirit of the freedom movement”, he said.
Decrying the Hindutva brigade’s efforts at deriding Nehruvian socialism
and slogans of Congress mukt Bharat, Prof Umapathy said while Nehru
had laid solid foundations for democracy to sustain, the Congress mukt
slogans were efforts by those who want to overturn the Constitution.
However, the Nation gave a befitting answer defeating an authoritarian
Modi’s call for 400+ seats in Lok Sabha, and also this has resulted in
bringing the Constitution to the front and centre of political discourse.
In his presidential address, PUCL President Kamal Gopinath said
though political equality and equality in public life has been achieved to
an extent, social inequalities persist with the caste system becoming
increasingly strong; no discourse or efforts on attaining equality of
women in personal and social life; and the rights of the minorities safe
unsafe with hate instruments guiding it. Currently, both equality and fraternity are absent in the social and economic spheres.
The Constitution can be said to have achieved its goal only when India
achieves complete eradication of caste, equality for women in all
spheres, and leaves no room for minorities to be treated as second class
citizens. However, when push comes to shove, Indians has displayed a great sense of nationhood and oneness, over these differences, and this was
heartening.
“A Constitution is only as good as the people we elect to govern. Hence,
given the faith-based politics churning India for the first time in
generations, and other inequities in the public and social spheres, people
must exercise their franchise with prudence, and we have only ourselves
to blame if things go off the rails”, he cautioned.
Gopinath expressed apprehensions at Home Minister said Amit Shah’s
promise to eradicate Naxalism by 2026, and said, if the Home Minister
was alluding to ‘encounter’ killings, it was a step in the wrong direction.
He said while nobody can support armed rebellions, it is also true that
many of these were emotionally charged youths demanding justified
rights.
“We, at PUCL, urge the Government to make strenuous efforts at
changing hearts and bringing these youth and the Adivasi back to the
mainstream, and meet their logical demands, instead of showing an utter
disrespect for life and adopting the route of encounter killings.”
K Kalachenne Gowda of Shyagale Shivarudrappa Trust traced the
genesis and history of the Constitution. Earlier, the lecture began with a
minute silence condoling the ‘encounter killings’ of Vikram Gowda and
similar victims, and the gathering taking an oath on the constitution,
imparted by Susheela.
Bookankere Vijayendra introduced the
speaker and the PUCL General Secretary V Purushottam thanked the
gathering
-Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
